Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has accused the Police in Aba, Abia State of brutalizing her members and stopping them from celebrating the 16th anniversary of the Movement at the Christ the King Cathedral, CKC, Catholic Parish, along Asa road in the city.
When Vanguard visited the CKC area, soldiers and policemen were seen patrolling the area as people went about their normal businesses.
MASSOB’s Assistant Director of Information, Chief Sunny Okoroafor who made this accusation in a chat with Vanguard, said his members were billed to celebrate the 16th anniversary of MASSOB existence with a church service when the police barricaded the area and beat them up.
According to Okoroafor, “Why will police beat up members of a non- violent group like MASSOB celebrating her anniversary? Is it a crime for people to celebrate in church? MASSOB members were arrested by the police, but we are yet to get their names and the number of people they arrested.
We are calling on the police to stop disturbing our members because we are only fighting for freedom.”
But in a swift reaction, Police Public Relations Officer, Abia state Command, Ezekiel Onyeke, who said he is yet to confirm if any MASSOB member was arrested, described the movement as a proscribed organization, stressing that the police will not allow any individual or group to breach the peace in the state.
